On Saturday, December 6th, the Casal Català de Washington DC celebrated Christmas with the two most cherished Catalan traditions: Els Pastorets and the Caga Tió.

By magic powers, Lluquet and Rovelló found themselves in a forest near Bethlem on their way to admire Jesus, the new-born. Children and parents enjoyed their adventures and had a beautiful Catalan evening. The Caga Tió was also so generous with everyone after being hit.

We ended up signing some Catalan carols and toasting with cava remembering all the activities that we shared this year 2014 that is about to end.

Let’s Celebrate Christmas with the Casal Catala de Washington DC and the two most cherished Catalan traditions: Els Pastorets and the Caga Tió.

Els Pastoretswill entertain you with the adventures of Lluquet and Rovelló, two shepherds from a Catalan masia that by magic powers find themselves in a forest near Bethlem on their way to admire Jesus, the new-born. In their journey they will meet iconic characters from our cherished Nativity scene, and get involved with the powers of good and bad.

Afterwards the children will have the chance to get presents from the Caga Tió, the log that gives presents or excretes them, while being hit with a stick. We will round up our get together with some Catalan carols and a Christmas toast with cava remembering all the activities that we shared this year 2013 that is about to end.

The Casal Català de Washington DC cordially invites you to celebrate La Castanyada

The Castanyada (Catalan pronunciation: [kəstəˈɲaðə]) is a popular Catalan festival, celebrated on All Saints’ Day. Like Halloween, its origins are in an ancient ritual festival of the dead. It consists of a meal of chestnuts, panellets, sweet potato and preserved fruits, typically with moscatell to drink. Around the time of this celebration, it is common for street vendors to sell hot toasted chestnuts wrapped in newspaper. In many places, confectioners often organize raffles of chestnuts and preserved fruit.

The festival is usually depicted with the figure of a Castanyera, an old lady, dressed in peasant’s clothing and wearing a headscarf, sat behind a table, roasting chestnuts for street sale.

The Casal Català will supply the meat and some appetizers; please, bring your drinks and special dishes.
We will start grilling at noon, while the dinner is ready, you can also participate in a soccer game and/or handicrafts activities for children.